Newcastle United travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon to take on Crystal Palace in a crucial Premier League clash, and fans have taken to Twitter to question the selection of winger Matt Ritchie.
The Magpies go to south London off the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Burnley, as Rafa Benitez’s men conceded a late equaliser to the Clarets in midweek.
They will be looking for their first league win in four on Sunday, with two draws and a loss coming in their last three fixtures.
The Eagles are also coming in off a 1-1 draw, as Christian Benteke’s headed opener was cancelled out by a Mark Noble penalty as West Ham rescued a point.
Both teams sit remarkably close in the table before the match, with the Magpies in 16th on 24 points, and the Eagles just one place above them in 15th on 26 points.
A Magpies win would take them up to around 11th place in the table, which would be extremely promising for Benitez and his charges as they look to avoid relegation.
It was the selection of Ritchie that raised eyebrows before kick-off, with the 28-year-old Scotland international seemingly being preferred to Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy on the wing.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
https://twitter.com/davemcnair16/status/960140350659678208
https://twitter.com/Cameron_NUFC/status/960140329482629121
Surprised to see Dubravka on the bench, but other than that no shocks. No Slimani expected, Rafa had hinted at a start for Gayle. Would have started Atsu over Ritchie for pace. #nufc https://t.co/RZEqWnlKSk
— Harry De Cosemo (@harrydecosemo) February 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/Fandanjoe/status/960140537859801091
I would have started Murphy ahead of Ritchie, Ritchie has been poor for months whereas Murphy has got better with each performance #NUFC
— Keith Robertson ????? (@Keithr10) February 4, 2018
Matt Ritchie needs to step up and perform today mind. He's been awful for most of the season.
— Alan Coleman (@AlanColeman86) February 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/Hencher7/status/960141611551395840
No Atsu or Murphy instead of Ritchie is a joke tho
— Devon?? (@Devon_NUFC) February 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/Crag11/status/960140772929654785
Disappointed to see Ritchie start, surely we need genuine pace down the flanks away from home #nufc
— The Looney Toon (@ToonArmy_4ever) February 4, 2018